Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has urged the Federal Government to consider dialogue and negotiations with armed groups as part of a broader strategy to address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Speaking during an interview, Gumi argued that Nigeria should treat the security crisis as an internal challenge and develop homegrown solutions rather than allowing international pressure to dictate the country’s approach.
According to him, the government should remain open to engaging armed groups, noting that several countries have used dialogue and negotiations to resolve conflicts involving militant organisations.
Gumi also claimed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo once held talks with Boko Haram leaders in Maiduguri, where an agreement was reportedly reached for the group to surrender its weapons, but alleged that the arrangement was not followed through by the government.
The cleric proposed that the Federal Government declare a six-month amnesty period during which members of armed groups would be allowed to surrender their weapons.
He said rehabilitation programmes could commence after the expiration of the amnesty window, while schools could also be established in forest communities to provide education for the children of members of the armed groups and encourage them to abandon violence.
Gumi maintained that negotiations should not be ruled out as one of the possible options for bringing an end to the prolonged security crisis.
His comments have since generated mixed reactions, with some social media users rejecting the idea of granting amnesty to bandits and terrorists, while others described dialogue as a possible path towards peace.
Critics questioned whether armed groups would honour any agreement and what measures the government would take if they refused to comply, while supporters argued that Gumi’s proposal deserved consideration as part of efforts to restore security across the country.
Others, however, described the proposed approach as unrealistic and potentially dangerous, insisting that negotiations could embolden armed groups rather than bring an end to violence.
